275 Gather To Fete 43rd Versammling At Lehigh Church

More than 275 men and women gathered on Saturday night to celebrate the 43rd Versammling (gathering) held at Jacob's Union Church in Jacksonville, Lehigh County.

Vormeeschder (master of ceremonies) Sterling Zimmerman from nearby Worley's Eck (Corner), called the meeting to order, greeting all attending and calling on Ralph Zettlemoyer, Vorsinger (song leader) to lead the group in the singing of John Birmelin's translation of "America."

Muscial background was provided by Carl Ritter unn sei Buwe (Carl Ritter and his Boys). In the ruhichi Minutt (quiet moment), the assembly commemorated Pastor Clarence Rahn and his wife, Catherine, now both deceased, for their role in initiating this Versammling series 43 years ago. To the strains of "Wie gross du bischt" ("How Great Thou Art"), Pastor Richard Druckenbrod invoked God's blessing on the gathering.

The church volunteers presented an excellent dinner of geroaschtes Oxefleelsch (roast beef) and Gemaahlenes Oxefleesch mit Gemies imme Leeb (meatloaf) with all the trimmings. Commenting on the obvious enthusiastic response to thefood, Zimmerman told the story of the farmer who one morning observed the rooster chasing the hen about the farm buildings. Just as he was about to catch up to the chicken, the farmer's wife came by and reached into her basket and threw a handful of corn in the path of the hen and rooster. The hen ran right on by, but the rooster stopped to eat the corn. The farmer was heard to remark that he hopes he never gets that hungry!

The group joined in singing some old-time favorites, including the round "Die Dumm Katz" ("The Stupid Cat"), set to the tune of "Three Blind Mice" by Paul R. Wieand; J.A. Angstadt's "Unser Bauer" ("Our Farmers"), and "Die Schnitzelbank."

In readying the folks for Die Verbinnerei (the oath), Zimmerman recounted the story of the parson arriving at the farm house just as the housewife was preparing dinner. He noted her dripping nose as she invited him to stay for supper. His reply was: "Es kummt druff aa wie's fallt!" (It all depends which way it falls!)

Pastor Merrill Q. Ressler of Shartlesville Union Church was introduced as the first Schwetzer (speaker) for the evening. He was asked to explain why he's called "half-Lutheran and half-Reformed," noting that the Union Church there has two congregations served by the same pastor. His theme dealt with Dinger vergesse unn Dinger erinnere (forgettig things and remembering things) and went on to spell out some of the things in life that we forget which ought to be remembered and others that we really should forget but which we tend to remember. He spoke of the minister who preached in the small church and inquired about returning his compensation check. "Yes" he was told, "we'll put it into our special fund." When inquiring about the nature of the special fund, he was told, "Es iss so ass mir es neegscht Yaahr en besserer Schwetzer griege kenne!" (It's so that we can get a better speaker next year)

Martin Fink entertained the group with stories and songs. Accompanying himself on the guitar, he presented "Siss en gleeni Welt" ("It's a Small World"), "Es Faahre uff der Train" ("Traveling on the Train"), "Es 'Lectric Licht" ("The Electric Light") and "Die Ford-maschien" ("The Ford-machine"). He also recounted the story of the three astronauts going into orbit for three years. An American, a Japanese and a Russian were each allowed 125 pounds of baggage for the endurance stay in space. The American chose to take his 115-pound wife; the Japanese, books and tapes to learn to speak Greek and the Russian 125 pounds of cigars to smoke. On returning, the American was proud to have his wife show their first-born child. The Japanese astronaut displayed his skills by addressing the group in Greek. The Russian disembarked, chewing on a cigar and with a frown on his face to scare all around. He was heard to mutter "Hot ebber en Maetsch?" (Does anyone have a match?)

Der zwett Schwetzer (the second speaker) was Carl Feeg of Meyerstown. His presentation lifted up the theme: "Was mer verdient!" (What one earns.) His stories of just recompense included the account of the Witmann (widower) and the Witfraa (widow) who took up seeing each other. For years they came to church together but sat at opposite ends of the pew, hoping to minimize comments. But before the sermon had started, they were both fast asleep. This went on for a number of years, after which the fellow approached the preacher with the happy news that he and the woman were planning to be married. To this came the reply: "Es iss awwer ball Zeit! Ihr hennt lang genung zamme gschlofe!" (It's about time! You've been sleeping together long enough!)

With the Schlussgebet (closing prayer) by Parrer Druckenbrod, the assembly dispersed, having given a clear mandate for another Versammling in 1987 by means of their laughter and applause.